Moving bed catalytic reactor for managing interruptions to the circulation of catalyst, and process using said reactor

Abstract

The present invention describes a catalytic reactor operating as a moving bed to manage interruptions in the circulation of catalyst while at the same time avoiding mechanical damage to the contact means containing the catalyst. The invention also concerns a refining or petrochemicals process using the reactor in accordance with the invention.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A catalytic reactor employing a moving bed catalyst, in which the catalyst is enclosed in baskets ( 5 ) and in which said baskets are movable along a substantially vertical axis and provided with flaps ( 7 ,  13 ) which are themselves substantially vertical, installed in the bottom portion of said baskets ( 5 ), and in which, during an interruption to the circulation of catalyst, a storage zone ( 11 ) for catalyst located in the lower portion of the reactor is opened up by lifting the assembly of the basket ( 5 ) and the flaps upwards. 
     
     
       2. The moving bed catalytic reactor according to  claim 1 , in which the catalyst is enclosed in baskets ( 5 ) which are annular in shape, wherein the walls are constituted by screens which allow the feed to pass from the exterior towards the interior of the basket ( 5 ), then the reaction effluents to pass from the interior of the basket ( 5 ) towards a centre pipe ( 3 ). 
     
     
       3. The moving bed catalytic reactor according to  claim 1 , in which the flaps ( 7 ,  13 ) slide in vertical sleeves ( 12 ) and are provided with windows ( 14 ) which are obstructed by the sleeves ( 12 ) during normal circulation, said windows ( 14 ) being opened up when the basket ( 5 ) is lifted following an interruption to the circulation, thus allowing the catalyst to pass through said windows ( 14 ) towards the storage zone ( 11 ) located in the lower portion of the reactor between the sleeve ( 12 ) and the wall of the catalyst. 
     
     
       4. The moving bed catalytic reactor according to  claim 3 , in which the windows ( 14 ) are rectangular in shape so as to allow the catalyst to enter the storage zone ( 11 ) in a uniform manner. 
     
     
       5. The moving bed catalytic reactor according to  claim 3 , in which the windows ( 14 ) are triangular in shape, with the point of the triangle being directed upwardly, so as to allow the catalyst to enter the storage zone ( 11 ) in a progressive manner. 
     
     
       6. A process comprising:
 conducting a refining or petrochemical process using the reactor according to  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 6 , wherein circulation of the catalyst under gravity is resumed as soon as the circulation is re-established. 
     
     
       8. A process comprising:
 catalytic reforming of gasoline using the reactor according to  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       9. A process comprising:
 conducting a residue hydrotreatment process using the reactor according to  claim 1 .